Some doctors I have spoken with want you to be at goal for two years. You just need to get some consultations scheduled and see what they say. Usually they are free.

I attended seminars for Dr. Wellborn and Dr. Gibbs.  I decided to go with the latter.  Dr. Gibbs' approach seemed less of an assembly line to push out bands.  I felt like I was being rushed through the process with the Wellborn clinic.  I agree that my interactions with the staff were pleasant, however when I mentioned other support groups to attend in the area just to get a feel for all my options it became quite territorial (as in there are they best, etc...).  I am scheduled to see Dr. Gibbs this Thursday to consider the sleeve and I am happy with my choice of clinics.  I don't know if this helps or not :0)

I have my first appointment with Dr. Gibbs to consider the sleeve so I don't have any idea about the liquid diet...yet!!!  I am so glad to see another Gibb's patient on here though.  I'll be anxious to see what you think of him throughout your surgery process.  Best of luck to you.  It sounds as if our lives will change forever!

HELP!!!! 

Now that I have decided to change surgeons, it's a toss up between Dr. Baker and Dr. Gibbs depending on which one will be able to get me an August surgery date when I have help with my kiddos from my mother. 

Now, I am hugely conflicted on what procedure to do.  My insurance covers both gastric Banding and Gastric Bypass.  I came into the seminars for both surgeons wanting the gastric band and scared of gastric bypass.  Now I'm not so sure.  I like so many things about gastric banding but the million dollar question for me is "will I be able to lose enough with the gastric band?' 

At 5'2 and 260 lbs, I have an ideal weight of about 135, which is on the high end of the BMI healthy range which means that I will need to lost about 130 lbs with the gastric band to get to a "healthy" weight.  Out of the statistics I have read about the lap band, not too many if any lose that high of a percentage of weight with the gastric band. 

On the other hand, the statistics for gastric bypass are far more promising to enable me to meet my goal but I am scared of the restrictions and dumping side effects.  My husband's ex wife had gastric bypass in 2002 and he watched her go through hell the first 6 months after the surgery and she ended up losing about 110 lbs. Although he is very supportive of my decision to have WLS, he is a little apprehensive about the gastric bypass procedure. 

 I am looking at this surgery as a one time deal.  I just want to make the right choice.  I guess I have more research to do to look at the numbers and decide which one is best for me.  Just hoping someone might have a little insight that could help me on this......

Thanks in advance

Glad you're home safe and sound. Enjoy the recliner!